Auto Warranty

Here is some information that parents hate to hear: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested booster seats for safety and found that 13 models out of the 41 that were tested rated so poorly in the area of seat belt fit that they aren’t recommended by the IIHS.  Parents try to do everything possible to keep their kids safe, such as maintaining their cars with the addition of an auto warranty and buying safety seats, so this news is unfortunate.

According to Adrian Lund, the IIHS president, the 13 seats not recommended don’t provide kids with the full benefit of an improved lap belt fit.  She claims that these boosters may make children more comfortable, but they don’t allow seat belts to be positioned in such a way that provides optimal protection.

The IIHS puts out a reminder to parents that booster seats aren’t intended to provide extra crash protection; instead they allow for a better fit and make the seat belt more effective.  Seat belts were designed with adults in mind and until a child is 4 feet 9 inches tall, they won’t fit correctly.  An efficient booster seat reroutes the seat belt across the bony parts of a child’s body and away from the abdomen, which is a vulnerable injury area.  However, the IIHS did say children are better off riding in any booster seat, rather than unbuckled.

Here are the tested seats that aren’t recommended:

• Cosco/Dorel (Eddie Bauer) Summit
• Graco CarGo Zephyr
• Compass B505
• Compass B510
• Evenflo Generations
• Dorel/Safety 1st (Eddie Bauer) Prospect
• Cosco/Dorel Traveler
• Cosco Highback Booster
• Cosco/Dorel Alpha Omega
• Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch
• Safety 1st/Dorel Intera
• Safety Angel Ride Ryte backless
• Evenflo Big Kid Confidence

People are often irrational about their vehicles.  They treat them as if they are their babies and shower them with affection.  Some drivers even talk to their vehicles and give them a pat here and there.  But as much as our cars mean to us, we don’t need to waste money on them.  Here are some common ways that you can avoid unnecessary car expenses.

First of all, buying premium fuel over regular isn’t necessary.  Purchase the cheapest gas possible that keeps your engine from knocking.  Octane serves the purpose of preventing knock, so if your car doesn’t knock with regular gasoline you’re fine.

Usually, carmakers recommend that you change your oil every 5,000-7,000 miles.  Many motorists assume that they should get their oil changed every 3,000 miles, however, this should be done only if you put a lot of wear and tear on your car.

Also, having auto repairs done at a dealership will cost you.  Instead, find a reliable independent shop to do the job for less money.  In addition, make sure to have an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary costs down the road.

Following these simple tips can save you lots of money.  Don’t allow other people to talk you into paying unnecessary expenses for your vehicle and purchase used car warranties to protect your wallet.

Most people don’t find tire shopping to be one of the most enjoyable things to shop for.  Basically, we would just like to find a set of tires that will fit our car and keep us from calling for road service.  Nevertheless, there are a few things that you should be aware of before going tire shopping.

First, you should never buy used tires.  Saving a few dollars is not worth sacrificing traction and performance; in the same way that it isn’t smart to skimp on an auto warranty.  Your safety should be your first priority, so don’t buy used tires.

Next, you need to know what the factory size of your tires is.  You can find this out by looking on the inside of the door hinge located on the driver’s side.

Do your homework and shop around for good tire deals.  It is easy to make price comparisons online, just make sure you factor in shipping and installation costs.  Tiretrack.com is a good website that has practically every tire and they offer good deals.  Also, you can read reviews from other customers who have bought the tires you plan on buying.

Finally, do some research on different tires before you buy anything.  All tires aren’t created equal and the expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best.

Although tires aren’t most people’s favorite things to shop for, they are an important part of your vehicle.  Following these tips will allow you to get good tires at a low price.

The Subaru Impreza is a sensible, simple, enjoyable vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive, good fuel-efficiency, a comfortable interior, and an ample amount of people space, all with the addition of an auto warranty.

This is what you will find in the Subaru Impreza. Generally, this car hasn’t been a frontrunner when shoppers are considering purchasing a small vehicle, however, now the Impreza is a smarter choice than many of its competitors.  In fact, it makes more sense than ever.

It is not because it has unbelievable fuel economy, however it does pretty well, but because this car will give you a lot of vehicle for an excellent price.  All of those cars that are popular as fuel-efficient cars, such as the Civic and Corolla seem pricey now that gasoline costing $4 per gallon has lighted such a high demand for them.  And with the Impreza you get AWD, which you don’t with the others.

It is hard to beat the amount of car you get for your money with the Impreza, complete with new car warranties.  You’ll find this car to be a simple car without all of the fuss and complications, which is a pleasant surprise.

The campaign by Barack Obama circulated an advertisement in Michigan accusing John McCain of having three cars that are foreign-made, however a study that was conducted by Bigresearch discovered that McCain supporters have a greater likelihood of driving American made vehicles than Obama supporters, by a margin of 68% to 54%.

Out of the Obama supporters 37% claimed that they drive Japanese-made vehicles, while just 27% of McCain supporters said that they did. And when it comes to cars made in Europe, 10% of Obama supporters admitted to having one, while just over 5% of McCain supporters admitted to having a car made in France.

The only odd finding out of the 8,000 people who were surveyed was that the same amount of Obama and McCain voters- 8.2%- owned Hondas. It seems that the Honda brand appeals to democrats and republicans alike in the same way that an auto warranty does. Maybe that is the bi-partisanship that both candidates are always saying that they’re all about.

As for information about what might occur on election day, the survey discovered that Ford was the brand driven the most by voters who are undecided, and by coincidence, Obama has a Ford Escape Hybrid. Is this a political ploy, or does Obama happen to be in touch with the common man?

It’s common knowledge that carmakers are having a difficult year. And just to make things even harder, some cars that are perfectly good don’t even get a fair shake. One car model can be just as good as another one, yet consumers don’t give it the attention of a competing model.

For instance, the Saab 9-5 gets 21 mpg and comes with a sunroof and leather seats, and goes for $37,685. However, only 1,943 consumers bought that car, while 81,967 people purchased the similar BMW 3-Series for $32,700, which is the segment leader.

Another story of tough luck is the Acura RL, which is a competitor in the large luxury car division and is one of the Top Safety Picks, along with the S80. However, the RL, which is powered by a V-6, isn’t a match for competing car models that have V-8 engines. Because of higher fuel prices, the RL appeals to some shoppers who are fuel-conscious, but it seems that buyers looking for luxury cars have a preference for power over safety.

These cars are great examples of vehicles that deserve a second look because they have features that are unique and high quality. Unfortunately, they are small players in a huge market. Consumers should consider the benefits of these cars because not only do they have a lot of features to offer, but also they are priced right with a good auto warranty.

When considering the engine, most people don’t realize how important the alternator is.  In fact, the alternator is indispensable because the engine won’t run without it.  The alternator is the source where the power train gets power.

Alternators were created in order to convert mechanical energy into a current that is alternating.  In order to do this the engine belt drives the alternator shaft.  Doing this allows electricity to be produced from the mechanical energy of the machines.  Then, the power becomes channeled.  The electricity produced recharges the battery and powers the electrical system of the vehicle.

If you need to replace your alternator you will discover that some contain more amps and some are definitely more expensive. However, an auto warranty will give you peace of mind with any vehicle repairs.

No matter what car you have, make sure you can see the bolts.  Many times, other parts have to be removed to have access to the bolts.  Before you remove your alternator, take note of the way it’s connected.  Then, mark its location so you know where to connect it.  Afterward, start to unplug the wires that connect to the alternator.  Finally, take off the bolts and remove the alternator.

Without the alternator, the engine can’t function.  If you can’t replace it yourself, find a mechanic to take care of it.  Whatever you decide, make sure you have an auto warranty to save you from costly repairs.  After all, you never know when you will need to replace a part on your vehicle.

The two-mode hybrid system will be coming soon.  The Allison Transmission division of BMW, GM, and DaimlerChrysler originally developed this system.  This alliance is called the Global Hybrid Corporation.

The reason that this system is called a two-mode hybrid is because it has high and low-speed modes for the electric variable transmission.  Four fixed gear ratios have been included for high efficiency.

Some of the same functions are featured that are on the Ford and Toyota one-mode hybrids.  For instance, the vehicle will turn off at a standstill, while breaking the batteries charge, and the electric motor, the engine, or both, can be used to power the vehicle.

The two-mode hybrid is very adaptable.  It can be used with several engine or drive train configurations.  In addition, it can be mated to engines powered by gas, E85 or diesel fuels.

This new system will be put into the GMC Yukon and the Chevrolet Tahoe by late in the year.  Mercedes and BMW will also be offering this system, but they haven’t stated what cars will be utilizing this technology.  With any new vehicle technology, an auto warranty is a necessity.  After all, you don’t want to pay unnecessary repair costs in the future.

Some recent bulletins stating nagging problems with several car models make an auto warranty a must.  The following information is put out by the manufacturers to the service departments of dealers, as well as to mechanics.

Some GM vehicles have had problems with oil leaks. Vehicles that were produced between 1986 and 2008 with various 60-degree v-6 engines may experience oil leaks from the rear seal of the crankshaft.

Some of Ford’s large pickup trucks have fuel injectors that are stuck.  This is specifically on the 2005 Ford F-150, Lincoln Navigators and Expeditions.  Apparently, the injectors could become stuck open or closed, which could result in powertrain damage.

Owners of 2007 Jeep Wranglers may have difficulty getting started in the morning.  A faulty engine camshaft sensor is responsible for a long cranking time.  To avoid this problem the sensor must be replaced.

Car manufacturers are always discovering new problems that can be a headache for motorists.  Don’t be caught off guard, buy an auto warranty to avoid expensive repairs.

GM announced this morning that it plans to double production of its four-cylinder engine, and the majority of the increase will come to North America.  This shift in product planning was to be expected, and so was the plant that will be built in Flint, Michigan for $370 million, which will manufacture the new 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine.  This engine will be used in the upcoming Cruze compact sedan by GM and is also the gas range extender for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.

To maximize efficiency the Cruze’s engine will be turbocharged.  The Cruze is expected to have 140 hp and 148 pounds/ft of torque, which is about the same as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.  And according to GM, the Cruze will probably be a fuel leader when compared to its class.

One problem, however, is that the factory is yet to be built.  That’s the reason that the Cruze will be available in Europe in 2009-it’ll have a diesel engine there, and then in 2010 it will come to the U.S.  So, for now Americans will have to hold onto their current cars and invest in a good auto warranty, because they will have to wait a couple of years for the Chevy Cruze to hit the U.S.